As at 1pm today, an additional 13 cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed since our last update at 1pm, March 11, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in NSW to 78.

*Note: 1 is a resident of Victoria and counted in the national numbers as a Victoria case.

The new cases include:

• 66: 44 year old male, no overseas travel
• 67: 19 year old female, health care worker at Ryde hospital close contact of confirmed case
• 68: 62 year old male, arrived 10/03, returned traveller from Italy
• 69: 86 year old male, no history of overseas travel
• 70: 14 year old female, no travel history
• 71: 26 year old female, no history of overseas travel
• 72: 56 year old female, arrived 07/03 from UK via Dubai
• 73: 62 year old female, arrived 10/03, returned traveller from Italy, contact of case 68
• 74: 35 year old female, no history of travel, under investigation
• 75: 53 year old male, under investigation
• 76: 23 year old female, arrived 08/03 from Malaysia
• 77: 38 year old female, under investigation
• 78: A 63 year old male, under investigation

Of these cases, one is a barista who worked at Pastadelli, 11 Railway Avenue, Wahroonga on the following dates:

• Wednesday 19 February
• Friday 21 February – Monday 24 February
• Wednesday 26 February
• Friday 28 February – Monday 2 March
• Wednesday 4 March
• Friday 5 March – Sunday 8 March

There is no ongoing risk to people attending the café.

The risk to customers who visited the café on these dates is extremely low, particularly if the time spent in the café was brief. However, as a precaution, we are asking customers to monitor for symptoms for 14 days after their last visit to the café in the period of interest.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, runny nose or shortness of breath.

These customers do not need to self-isolate unless they develop symptoms. If anyone who visited the café during these times develops any of the symptoms of COVID-19, we ask them to seek clinical assessment.

Testing for any customers who develop any symptoms can be undertaken via their GP, or at the COVID-19 testing clinic at Hornsby Hospital. This clinic is open from 10am to 8pm and can be accessed via the emergency department at Hornsby Hospital.

Another case, a 14 year old female, is a school student who did not attend school while infectious. The child posed no risk to others at their school as they were away from school during the time they would have been infectious. We are currently working with the family to assess their circumstances.

Updated advice to the public

If you have travelled overseas to another country in the past 14 days you should self-monitor for symptoms, practise social distancing as much as possible and immediately isolate yourself if you become unwell.

Social distancing means separating yourself from other people as much as possible when you’re in public places, and avoiding crowded places. Practically, you should:

• attempt to keep a distance of 1.5 metres between yourself and others
• avoid crowds and mass gatherings where it is difficult to keep the appropriate distance away from others
• avoid small gatherings in enclosed spaces, for example family celebrations
• avoid shaking hands, hugging, or kissing other people
• avoid visiting vulnerable people, such as those in aged care facilities or hospitals, infants, or people with compromised immune systems due to illness or medical treatment.

During the 14 days you are asked to practise social distancing, you can travel to work or school using public transport if you have no other way of travelling there. Please try to separate yourself from other passengers as much as possible

Social distancing is an effective measure, but it is recognised that it cannot be practised in all situations and the aim is to reduce potential for transmission. It is important that everyone does their part to limit spread of COVID-19. This will help protect vulnerable people in our community and reduce the burden on our hospitals

Should widespread transmission occur a range of public health measures will be considered, including the approach to large-scale events. If you have returned from overseas, you should avoid large public gatherings. Otherwise, people should go about their business as usual. That includes attending public events. The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee will provide this advice.

If you develop a fever or respiratory symptoms, please:

• Call your doctor or healthdirect on 1800 022 222. When you call, tell them where you have travelled.
• If your symptoms are severe visit your local emergency department. When you arrive, immediately tell staff where you have travelled.

If you have symptoms it is important that you do not go to work, school/university/childcare, the gym, or public areas, and you should not use public transport, taxis, or ride-sharing services. If you need to seek medical care wear a surgical mask if available when attending.​​​